MLS: Team-by-team season capsules

TORONTO, ON - DECEMBER 09:  Alex Bono #25 of Toronto FC lifts the Championship Trophy after winning the 2017 MLS Cup Final against the Seattle Sounders at BMO Field on December 9, 2017 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.  (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)

Credit: Vaughn Ridley

Credit: Vaughn Ridley

TORONTO, ON - DECEMBER 09: Alex Bono #25 of Toronto FC lifts the Championship Trophy after winning the 2017 MLS Cup Final against the Seattle Sounders at BMO Field on December 9, 2017 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)

A look at the other MLS teams that will compete during the 2018 season along with Atlanta United:

EASTERN CONFERENCE

-

Chicago Fire

Last year vs. Atlanta United: Atlanta United won 4-0 on March 18 at Bobby Dodd Stadium on two goals from Josef Martinez, an own-goal by Chicago and Hector Villalba.

Chicago won 2-0 at Toyota Park on June 10 on goals by Luis Solignac and a penalty kick by Nemanja Nikolic.

Last year's record: 16-11-7, third place in the Eastern Conference

Coach: Veljko Paunovic

Designated Players:

Nemanja Nikolic: The 30-year-old forward led the league with 24 goals scored last season.

Bastian Schweinsteiger: The 33-year-old German midfielder is a game-changer…when he plays.

Notable new additions:

Aleksander Katai: The 26-year-old Serbian winger is on loan from Deportivo Alaves in Spain.

Notable players gone: David Accam, with 33 goals and 15 assists in three seasons, was traded to Philadelphia. Juninho's loan expired and midfielder Arturo Alvarez was traded to Houston.

-

Columbus Crew SC

Last year vs. Atlanta United: Atlanta United won 3-1 on June 17 at Bobby Dodd Stadium, won 2-0 on July 1 at MAPFRE Stadium and was beaten in a penalty-kick shootout in the playoffs on Oct. 26 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Last year's record: 16-12-6, fifth place in the Eastern Conference

Coach: Gregg Berhalter, one of the more respected tacticians in MLS

Designated Players:

Federico Higuain: The 33-year-old midfielder has 48 goals and 49 assists since joining Columbus for the 2012 season.

Pedro Santos: The 29-year-old midfielder posted two assists in nine appearances last season.

Milton Valenzuela: The 19-year-old Argentinian left fullback joined from Newell’s Old Boys in Argentina.

Notable new additions:

Mike Grella: The 30-year-old midfielder made 73 appearances for the New York Red Bulls.

Eduardo Sosa: The 21-year-old midfielder comes as a Discovering signing from Zamora FC.

Ricardo Clark: The 35-year-old Atlanta native signed as a free agent.

Gyasi Zardes: The enigmatic forward was acquired in a trade with the L.A. Galaxy.

Notable players gone: Forward Kekuta Manneh is out of contract and defender Jukka Raitala was selected in the expansion draft. Other key players, including Ola Kamara and Justin Meram were traded.

-

D.C. United

Last year vs. Atlanta United: Atlanta United lost 3-1 at Bobby Dodd Stadium on April 30. A goal from Kenwyne Jones was offset by goals from an own goal by Michael Parkhurst and strikes from Luciano Acosta and Sebastian Le Toux.

D.C. United won again 2-1 on June 21 at RFK Stadium. Julian Gressel’s goal was offset by Luciano Acosta and Patrick Nyarko.

D.C. United completed its hat-trick with a 1-0 win on August 23 at RFK Stadium on an own-goal by Michael Parkhurst.

Last year's record: 9-20-5, 11th in the Eastern Conference

Coach: Ben Olsen, since 2010

Designated Players:

Paul Arriola: The 23-year-old midfielder joined the team last season.

Notable new additions:

Yamil Asad: The 23-year-old midfielder made 32 appearances for Atlanta United last season, scoring seven goals and notching 13 assists.

Frederic Brillant: The 32-year-old defender started 16 games in 23 appearances for NYCFC last season.

Darren Mattocks: The 27-year-old forward scored four goals and had two assists in 24 games for Portland last season.

Ulises Segura: The 24-year-old midfielder\forward came from Saprissa.

Junior Moreno: The 24-year-old defensive midfielder came from Venezuela.

David Ousted: The 32-year-old goalkeeper had six shutouts with Vancouver last season.

Notable players gone: Goalkeeper Bill Hamid and midfielders Patrick Nyarko and Lloyd Sam

-

Montreal Impact

Last year vs. Atlanta United: Montreal won 2-1 on April 15 at Stade Saputo on goals by Ignacio Piatti and Anthony Jackson-Hamel. Kenwyne Jones scored for Atlanta United.

Atlanta United won 2-0 on Sept. 24 in Mercedes-Benz Stadium on goals from Hector Villalba and Jeff Larentowicz.

Last year's record: 11-7-6, ninth in Eastern Conference

Coach: Remi Garde

Designated Players:

Ignacio Piatti: The 32-year-old midfielder scored 17 goals and had six assists last season.

Saphir Taider: The 25-year-old Algerian midfielder made 162 appearances in Italy’s Serie A.

Notable new additions:

Raheem Edwards: The 22-year-old midfielder had one goal and six assists in 21 appearances for Toronto last season.

Jukka Raitala: The 29-year-old defender made 28 appearances for Columbus last season.

Notable players gone: Midfielder Blerim Dzemaili returned to Europe after scoring goals with 10 assists in 22 appearances last season. Defender Laurent Ciman was traded to LAFC and Patrice Bernier retired. Ballou Tabla was sold to Barcelona.

-

New England Revolution

Last year vs. Atlanta United: Atlanta United won 7-0 on Sept. 13 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The Revs didn't take a shot in the game.

The teams tied 0-0 at Gillette Stadium on Sept. 30.

Last year's record: 13-15-6, seventh place in the Eastern Conference

Coach: Brad Freidel, first year

Designated Players: 

Claude Dielna: The 30-year-old defender joined the team in late July last season. He went on to make 11 appearances.

Notable new additions:

Gabriel Somi: The 26-year-old defender joined after spending his career in Sweden, where he made more than 130 appearances.

Jalil Anibaba: The 29-year-old defender has 166 MLS appearances since 2011.

Notable players gone: Forward Kei Kamara was traded to Vancouver. Contract options were declined on Xavier Kouassi, Je-Vaughn Watson and Daigo Kobayashi. Lee Nguyen, arguably the team's best player, wants out.

-

New York City FC

Last year vs. Atlanta United: NYCFC won 3-1 at Yankee Stadium on March 1 on goals by David Villa, Rodney Wallace and Maxi Moralez. Carlos Carmona scored for Atlanta United.

Atlanta United 3-1 on May 28 at Bobby Dodd Stadium on two goals by Miguel Almiron and another by Hector Villalba. Jack Harrison scored for NYCFC.

Last year's record: 16-9-9, second in the Eastern Conference

Coach: Patrick Vieira, 32-24-18 at NYFC

Designated Players:

Jesus Medina: The 20-year-old midfielder was signed from Club Libertad in Paraguay.

Maxi Moralez: The 30-year-old midfielder scored five goals and had nine assists last season.

David Villa: The 36-year-old forward scored 22 goals and had nine assists last season.

Notable new additions:

Anton Tinnerholm: The 26-year-old defender was the defender of the year in Sweden last season.

Saad Abdul-Salaam: The 26-year-old defender appeared in 12 games for Sporting KC last season.

Jo Inge Berget: The 27-year-old Norwegian striker comes from Malmo in Sweden.

Ismael Tajouri: The 23-year-old made 96 appearances in Austria’s top flight.

Cedric Hountondji: The 24-year-old defender comes from France.

Notable players gone: Midfielder Andrea Pirlo retired and forward Khiry Shelton was traded to Sporting KC. Jack Harrison was sold to Manchester City.

-

New York Red Bulls

Last year vs. Atlanta United: Atlanta United lost its inaugural game to the Red Bulls 2-1 on March 5 after Yamil Asad's historic first goal was offset by a goal from Daniel Royer and an own-goal from Anton Walkes.

The teams tied 0-0 on Oct. 15 at Red Bull Arena.

Last year's record: 14-12-8, sixth place in the Eastern Conference

Coach: Jesse Marsch

Designated Players:

Bradley Wright-Phillips: The 32-year-old forward has 86 goals since joining the team in 2013.

Alejandro Romero Gamarra: The 23-year-old Argentinian midfielder joined from Atletico Huracan.

Notable new additions:

Carlos Rivas: The 23-year-old midfielder has eight goals and 13 assists in three seasons with Orlando City.

Tommy Redding: The 20-year-old defender made 38 appearances for Orlando City from 2015-17.

Notable players gone: Midfielder Sacha Kljestan was traded to Orlando City. Contract options were declined on defender Sal Zizzo, midfielder Mike Grella and forward Gonzalo Veron. Damien Perrinelle's contract ran out.

-

Orlando City SC

Last year vs. Atlanta United: Atlanta United won 1-0 on July 21 on a screaming shot by Hector Villalba, who a week later forced a 1-1 draw with a goal in the final minutes at Bobby Dodd Stadium.

Last year's record: 10-15-9, 10th place in the Eastern Conference

Coach: Jason Kreis

Designated Players:

Yoshimar Yotun: The 27-year-old midfielder had one goal and four assists in 10 appearances last season.

Josue Colman: The Paraguayan midfielder joined from Cerro Porteno in Paraguay.

Notable new additions:

Sacha Kljestan: The 32-year-old midfielder scored 16 goals and notched 51 assists in three seasons with the New York Red Bulls.

R.J. Allen: The 27-year-old defender made 53 appearances with NYCFC from 2015-17.

Jose Villarreal: The 24-year-old midfielder made 68 appearances with the L.A. Galaxy from 2012-17.

Mohammed El-Munir: The 25-year-old defender is a Libyan national team player.

Justin Meram: The 29-year-old midfielder scored 13 goals with seven assists last season with Columbus. He has 37 goals and 33 assists in his seven-year career in MLS.

Notable players gone: Midfielder Kaka retired, forward Carlos Rivas and defender Tommy Redding were traded to New York Red Bulls, and the options were declined on the contracts of midfielders Antonio Nocerino and forward Giles Barnes. Cyle Larin, once an exemplary striker in MLS, was sold to Besiktas.

-

Philadelphia Union

Last year vs. Atlanta United: The teams tied 2-2 on Aug. 26 at Talen Energy Stadium and Atlanta United won 3-0 Sept. 27 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Last year's record: 11-14-9, eighth place in the Eastern Conference

Coach: Jim Curtin

Designated Players:

Alejandro Bedoya: The 30-year-old midfielder had two goals and four assists in 28 games last season.

David Accam: The 27-year-old forward has scored 33 goals and notched 15 assists in the past three seasons.

Notable new additions:

Accam.

Notable players gone: Contract options were declined on Oguchi Onyewu, Giliano Wijnaldum, Roland Alberg, Maurice Edu, Chris Pontius and Charlie Davies.

-

Toronto FC

Last year vs. Atlanta United: A pair of 2-2 draws. The first came on April 8 at BMO Field with Hector Villalba scoring two goals and on Oct. 22 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, a game that cost the Five Stripes the second seed in the Eastern Conference after Sebastian Giovinco scored on a freekick in the final minutes.

Last year's record: 20-5-9, first in the Eastern Conference, Supporters Shield winners and MLS Cup champs

Coach: Greg Vanney

Designated Players:

Jozy Altidore: The 28-year-old forward has 38 goals in the past three seasons.

Sebastian Giovinco: The 30-year-old has scored 55 goals and notched 37 assists in the past three seasons.

Michael Bradley: The 30-year-old has 104 appearances for Toronto.

Notable new additions:

Gregory van der Wiel: The 30-year-old Dutch defender joined from Cagliari in Italy.

Auro: The 22-year-old Brazilian defender joined on loan from Sao Paulo.

Notable players gone: Raheem Edwards was selected in the expansion draft and Steven Beitashour is out of contract.

-

WESTERN CONFERENCE

-

Colorado

Last year vs. Atlanta United: Did not play.

Last year's record: 9-19-6, 10th in the Western Conference

Coach: Anthony Hudson

Designated Players:

Gashi: The 29-year-old has 11 goals and five assists in two years with Colorado.

Tim Howard: The 38-year-old has 42 appearances in goal for the Rapids in the past two seasons.

Notable new additions:

Edgar Castillo: The 31-year-old fullback comes from Monterrey, one of several clubs in LIGA MX vet and U.S. international has played for.

Johan Bloomberg: The 30-year-old midfielder comes AIK Fotboll in Sweden.

Danny Wilson: The Scottish centerback joined from Rangers.

Tommy Smith: The New Zealand International joined from Ipswich Town.

Notable players gone: Contract options were declined on midfielder Josh Gatt and forward Alan Gordon. Mike Grella was traded to Columbus.

-

FC Dallas

Last year vs. Atlanta United: Atlanta United won 3-0 on Sept. 10 in the opening of Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Leandro Gonzalez Pirez scored the first goal, Josef Martinez the second and Greg Garza the third.

Last year's record: 11-10-13, seventh place in the Western Conference

Coach: Oscar Pareja

Designated Players:

Cristian Colman: The 23-year-old forward scored two goals in 26 appearances last season.

Carlos Gruezo: The 22-year-old midfielder has 58 appearances in the past two seasons.

Santiago Mosquera: The 23-year-old Colombian striker joined from Millionarios in Colombia.

Notable new additions:

Anton Nedyalkov: The 24-year-old defender made 53 appearances for CSKA Moscow the past two seasons.

Reto Ziegler: The 31-year-old defender has played all over Europe.

Notable players gone: Lawrenceville's Walker Zimmerman was traded to LAFC.

-

Houston Dynamo

Last year vs. Atlanta United: Atlanta United won 4-1 at Bobby Dodd Stadium on May 20 on three goals from Miguel Almiron and another by Julian Gressel.

Last year's record: 13-10-11, fourth in the Western Conference

Coach: Wilmer Cabrera, 13-10-11 with the Dynamo

Designated Players: 

Alberth Elis: The 21-year-old forward scored 10 goals with four assists last season.

Tomas Martinez: The 22-year-old midfielder scored two goals in nine games last season.

Notable new additions:

Alejandro Fuenmajor: The 21-year-old Venezuelan defender joined from Carabobo in Venezuela.

Darwin Ceren: The 28-year-old El Salvadorian midfielder was acquired in a trade with San Jose.

Arturo Alvarez: The 32-year-old midfielder scored three goals and had two assists with Chicago last season.

Chris Seitz: The 30-year-old goalkeeper had 12 saves in five games with Dallas last season.

Notable players gone: Erick Torres, a forward scored 14 goals with three assists last season, signed with Pumas in Mexico. Midfielders Ricardo Clark signed with Columbus after his option was declined.

-

LA Galaxy

Last year vs. Atlanta United: Atlanta United won 4-0 on Sept. 20 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on goals by Josef Martinez, Yamil Asad, Hector Villalba and Miguel Almiron.

Last year's record: 8-18-8, 11th in Western Conference

Coach: Sigi Schmid

Designated Players:

Romain Alessandrini: The 28-year-old midfielder scored 13 goals and had 12 assists in 30 appearances last season.

Gio dos Santos: The 28-year-old forward scored six goals and had three assists in 25 appearances last season.

Jonathan dos Santos: The 27-year-old midfielder had one goal and one assist in 12 appearances last season.

Notable new additions:

Ola Kamara: The 28-year-old Norwegian was acquired in a trade with Columbus, where he scored 18 goals last season.

Perry Kitchen: The 25-year-old midfielder comes to Galaxy from Hearts in Scotland. He played for D.C. United from 2011-15.

David Bingham: The 28-year-old goalkeeper made 96 appearances for San Jose from 2011-17.

Notable players gone: Options were declined on midfielder Jermaine Jones and Jose Villarreal.

-

LAFC

Last year vs. Atlanta United: Did not play

Last year's record: None, expansion team

Coach: Bob Bradley

Designated Players:

Diego Rossi: The 19-year-old forward comes from Penarol in Uruguay where he scored 10 goals last season.

Carlos Vela: The 28-year-old forward comes from Real Sociedad in Spain.

Notable new additions:

Latif Blessing: The 21-year-old forward scored three goals and had an assist in 25 appearances for Sporting KC.

Walker Zimmerman: The 24-year-old defender and Lawrenceville native appeared in 22 games for FC Dallas last season.

Marco Urena: The 27-year-old forward scored five goals and had three assists for San Jose last season.

Laurent Ciman: The 32-year-old defender started 30 games for Montreal last season.

Benny Feilhaber: The 32-year-old midfielder scored five goals and had three assists in 30 appearances for Sporting KC last season.

Notable players gone: None

-

Minnesota United

Last year vs. Atlanta United: Atlanta United won 6-1 at TCF Bank Stadium on March 12 on a hat-trick by Josef Martinez. Minnesota United won 3-2 on Oct. 3 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Goals by Hector Villalba and Julian Gressel were offset by Abu Danladi, Christian Ramirez and Kevin Molino.

Last year's record: 10-18-6, ninth in Western Conference

Coach: Adrian Heath, 10-18-6 at Minnesota United

Designated Players: None

Notable new additions:

Tyrone Mears: Atlanta United declined the option on the fullback and he has slotted in on the right for the Loons.

Bertrand Owundi: The 24-year-old Cameroonian defender joins from Rainbow FC.

Frantz Pangop: The 24-year-old Cameroonian midfielder joins after helping his country qualify for the World Cup.

Notable players gone: Midfielder Johan Venegas was loaned to Saprissa.

-

Portland Timbers

Last year vs. Atlanta United: The teams tied 1-1 on May 14 at Providence Park.

Last year's record: 15-11-8, first place in the Western Conference

Coach: Giovanni Savarese, first year

Designated Players:

Fanendo Adi: The 27-year-old forward has 51 goals and 12 assists since joining the Timbers for the 2014 season.

Sebastian Blanco: The 29-year-old midfielder had eight goals and eight assists last season.

Diego Valeri: The 31-year-old midfielder and reigning MLS MVP has 58 goals and 53 assists since joining Portland before the 2013 season.

Notable new additions:

Julio Cascante: The 24-year-old Costa Rican defender joined from Orion FC in Costa Rica.

Samuel Armenteros: The 27-year-old Swedish forward joined from Benevento Calcio in Italy’s Serie A.

Notable players gone: Midfielder Darlington Nagbe was traded to Atlanta United. Forward Darren Mattocks was traded to D.C. United.

-

Real Salt Lake

Last year vs. Atlanta United: Atlanta United won 3-1 in Utah.

Last year's record: 13-15-6, eight in the Western Conference

Coach: Mike Petke

Designated Players:

Jefferson Savarino: The 21-year-old forward scored six goals and had five assists in 22 appearances last season.

Yuri Movsisyan: The 30-year-old forward scored seven goals in 28 appearances last season but seems to be the odd man out.

Albert Rusnak: The 23-year-old midfielder scored seven goals and had 14 assists in 30 appearances last season.

Notable new additions:

Brooks Lennon: The 20-year-old winger was acquired permanently from Liverpool after scoring three goals and notching four assists in 25 appearances with Salt Lake last season.

Notable players gone: None

-

San Jose

Last year vs. Atlanta United: Atlanta United won 4-2 at Bobby Dodd Stadium thanks to two goals from Josef Martinez.

Last year's record: 13-14-7, sixth place in the Western Conference

Coach: Mikael Stahre

Designated Players:

Magnus Eriksson: The 27-year-old midfielder/forward comes from Djurgardens in Sweden.

Vako: The 24-year-old midfielder scored five goals and notched an assist in 13 appearances with the Quakes last season.

Chris Wondolowski: The 35-year-old forward scored 13 goals last season.

Notable new additions:

Joel Qwiberg: The 25-year-old defender appeared in 30 games in Sweden’s second division.

Notable players gone: Forward Marco Urena was selected in the expansion draft and goalkeeper David Bingham was traded to L.A. Galaxy.

-

Seattle Sounders FC

Last year vs. Atlanta United: The teams tied 0-0 on March 31 at CenturyLink Field.

Last year's record: 11-14-9, eighth place in the Western Conference

Coach: Brian Schmetzer

Designated Players:

Clint Dempsey: The 34-year-old forward has scored 46 goals for Seattle since 2013.

Nicolas Lodeiro: The 28-year-old midfielder has 11 goals and 20 assists the past two seasons.

Osvaldo Alonso: The 32-year-old midfielder has 252 appearances for Seattle since 2009.

Notable new additions:

Waylon Francis: The 27-year-old defender made 83 appearances for Columbus from 2014-17.

Magnus Wolff Eikrem: The Swedish midfielder spent the previous three season with Malmo.

Notable players gone: Defenders Joevin Jones and Brad Evans are out of contract, and goalkeeper Tyler Miller was selected in the expansion draft.

-

Sporting Kansas City

Last year vs. Atlanta United: The teams tied 1-1 on Aug. 6 at Children's Mercy Park. Jacob Peterson earned the draw with a goal in the final minutes.

Last year's record: 12-9-13, fifth place in the Western Conference

Coach: Peter Vermes

Designated Players:

Yohan Croizet: The 26-year-old French midfielder joins from KV Mechelen in Belgium.

Roger Espinoza: The 31-year-old midfielder had one goal and three assists last season.

Felipe Gutierrez: The 27-year-old Chilean midfielder joins from Real Betis.

Graham Zusi: The 31-year-old fullback notched eight assists in 24 appearances last season.

Notable new additions:

Khiry Shelton: The forward was acquired in a trade from NYCFC.

Notable players gone: Midfielder Benny Feilhaber was traded to LAFC, defender Saad Abdul-Salaam was traded to NYCFC, Latif Blessing was selected in the expansion draft and Erik Palmer-Brown is out of contract.

-

Vancouver Whitecaps FC

Last year vs. Atlanta United: The Whitecaps won 3-1 on June 3 on goals on two goals by Kendall Waston and another by Fredy Montero. Greg Garza scored for Atlanta United.

Last year's record: 15-12-7, third in the Western Conference

Coach: Carl Robinson, who is 64-43-61 with the Whitecaps

Designated Players:

Kei Kamara: The 33-year-old forward scored 12 goals and had five assists last season with New England.

Brek Shea: The 27-year-old midfielder scored four goals and has two assists in 25 appearances last season. There are reports that his contract has been bought down and he is no longer a DP.

Notable new additions:

Efrain Juarez: The 29-year-old Mexican midfielder has more than 300 appearances for clubs and country.

Notable players gone:

The declined the option on Designated Player Matias Laba and Fredy Montero’s loan expired. David Ousted was sent to D.C. United.